â€œThis is the Silver Grillâ€™s 80th anniversary year, and we have a lot of fun anniversary plans,â€ said Public Relations Coordinator Tosha Jupiter. For instance, if you stop by the restaurant between April 13 and April 21, you will spot staff members wearing old-fashioned uniforms similar to the green dresses worn in the 1930s.

In addition to the fashion throwback, the Grill will hold specials throughout the month of October to honor the restaurantâ€™s opening on Oct. 28, 1933. With an owner who is big on history (and big on Old Town), the Grill plans on keeping their historic roots in mind as they move forward.

â€œI see the history of the Silver Grill continuing,â€ said Arnolfo and the future is bright for the historic business.

Melanie Rose and Sophie Vukovich go around to their favorite bars in Old Town, Fort Collins and show you how to make a delicious drink every week. This week they give you a look at Lucky’s and the bartender Kenley demonstrates how to make their specialty drink, “Chicks Dig It”. Lucky’s has eighteen years of history and is a great bar to go to any day of the week. Be sure to check this bar out and enjoy their complementary barrels of peanuts and karaoke singers.

NewsComments Off on Fort Collins locals react to Gelazzi, Armadillo, and Beach House downtown business closures

Jan312013

Author: Kelsey Peterson

[youtube]http://youtu.be/c-4jMuyMX60[/youtube]

Three Fort Collins businesses have recently closed down bringing up many questions for local residents. Gelazzi, a popular hangout sweets shop, closed its doors near the end of November, but is just beginning to sell off equipment. As seen in the Coloradoan, according to Mike Van Buskirk, director of operations at Gelazzi, the Fort Collins shop was the last of three locations to close. He says that its owner, Jan Horsfall, is getting out of the business. The reasons behind his closure are unknown. The Armadillo restaurant and Beach House Grill closed earlier in the year. According to Lisa Ruskaup, concept director for Breckenridge-Wynkoop, her company bought the Beach House’s lot and they plan to turn it into another Breckenridge restaurant and brewery. Though it’s not what everyone had in mind, many, including Ruskaup, are excited to see how the business adapts to the Fort Collins community.

NewsComments Off on Fort Collins locals react to Gelazzi, Armadillo, and Beach House downtown business closures

Jan312013

Author: Kelsey Peterson

[youtube]http://youtu.be/c-4jMuyMX60[/youtube]

Three Fort Collins businesses have recently closed down bringing up many questions for local residents. Gelazzi, a popular hangout sweets shop, closed its doors near the end of November, but is just beginning to sell off equipment. As seen in the Coloradoan, according to Mike Van Buskirk, director of operations at Gelazzi, the Fort Collins shop was the last of three locations to close. He says that its owner, Jan Horsfall, is getting out of the business. The reasons behind his closure are unknown. The Armadillo restaurant and Beach House Grill closed earlier in the year. According to Lisa Ruskaup, concept director for Breckenridge-Wynkoop, her company bought the Beach House’s lot and they plan to turn it into another Breckenridge restaurant and brewery. Though it’s not what everyone had in mind, many, including Ruskaup, are excited to see how the business adapts to the Fort Collins community.

Do you have a special someone on your shopping list? Do you want to one-up your sibling and get your parents the better gift this year? Do you want to share a piece of your life at CSU with someone else in your life?

There is no denying the stress you feel around the holiday season to get the best of the best for your loved ones. Fortunately, College Avenue has compiled this list of go-to items for everyone on your shopping list. From your mom, to your brother, to your dog, there is something special for everyone. All the items hunted down for this list can be found in Old Town and will make this year one to remember.

You wouldnâ€™t think olive oil was all that exciting, but the flavor selection at the Rocky Mountain Olive Oil Company is sure to change your mind. From Cinnamon Pear to Thai Lemongrass Mint, the wall to wall options will make it easy to find something for any momâ€™s pallet. A 375 mL bottle runs around $18.50 and the larger 750 mL bottle costs $33.50. And if you canâ€™t decide which flavor to get, they offer sample packages that make awesome gifts.

Dad:Fudge from Kilwinâ€™s; $15.95 a pound

Chocolate turtle fudge from Kilwins. Photograph by John Sheesley.

What dad wouldnâ€™t enjoy a pound of fudge to wash down their holiday meal? Kilwinâ€™s offers classic fudge flavors like chocolate and chocolate peanut butter, but they also have specialties like maple walnut, turtle, and Fort Collins mud. Kilwinâ€™s also gives out free samples for tasting, so Dad isnâ€™t the only one who gets some of the deliciousness! Your dad doesnâ€™t like fudge? They have plenty of other sweet goodies for under $20.

The Worst Case Scenario Daily Survival Calendar for 2013 from Killer Rabbit. Photograph by John Sheesley.

Simply put, it is â€œa day to day guide to surviving a yearâ€™s worth of peril.â€ Each day has a funny (and sometimes helpful) tip in the form of a history lesson, a mini hero story, or a how-to guide. Some examples are how to survive a fall onto subway tracks and how to stop unwanted PDA.

The Girl in Your Life:Texting gloves from White Balcony; $26.95

Fancy texting gloves from White Balcony. Photograph by John Sheesley.

A gift that is fashion-forward and practical is the best way to go. White Balcony features texting gloves that are softer than cashmere. Milk protein inside the fabricâ€™s fibers makes the gloves cushiony-soft. The gloves will keep hands warm while they use touch-screen devices.

Hide a Squirrel toy from Wagz. Photograph by John Sheesley.

Dog: Hide a Squirrel toy from Wagz; $14.99 to $21.99

Dogs are part of the family too! Wagz offers a unique toy that is designed to entertain pups with puzzle-solving. The toy is designed to keep dogs occupied, and the three squeakier toys inside can be interchanged with treats to make the â€œsearchâ€ more fun. The Hide a Squirrel toy is available in both a small and large size for the tiny Maltese to the Great Dane in your life.

When you were little, Grandma loved getting your homemade gifts. You can still show her your artsy side while supporting artists in developing countries. At Ten Thousand Villages, all products are sold to support artists in countries that donâ€™t have the market or appreciation for art that we have in the United States. Philippine artists create usable items from recycled newspapers and magazines, and the picture frame is just one of many options. Just place a picture of the two of you in the frame, and it will be a gift that Grandma can share will all of her friends.

Tea in a Jar from Happy Luckyâ€™s Tea House. Photograph by John Sheesley.

Grandpa: Tea in a Jar from Happy Luckyâ€™s Tea House; $20

Nothing compliments retirement like specialty tea. For the tea-lover in your life, Happy Luckyâ€™s offers a Great Wall of Tea to choose from. Buy by the ounce or in a gift jar; nothing from this little shop will disappoint.

Aunt:River Stones for Massage from Natureâ€™s Own; $20

River Stones for Massage from Natureâ€™s Own. Photograph by John Sheesley.

Life can be stressful and no one would turn down a massage kit! Hot stone massages are soothing and therapeutic, and a perfect way to let your aunt know that she should spoil herself every now and then. Donâ€™t know anything about hot stone massage? Natureâ€™s Own offers instruction books for purchase as well.

Uncle: Six-pack of beer from Odell Brewery; $8.99

Fort Collins is known for an active beer culture, so get your Uncle a uniquely Fort Collins ale. Oâ€™Dell Brewery is located downtown, but you can find their beer at any liquor store in town.

Note Pads from Curiosities. Photograph by John Sheesley.

Roommate:Note Pads from Curiosities; $8

Wish you had a way to list all of the annoying things your roommate does? Curiosities offers a variety of funny checklists that will help your roomie blow off some steam!

Shelves of books at Old Firehouse Books. Photograph by John Sheesley.

Friend: Any book from Old Firehouse Books; Prices vary

Old Firehouse Books is the perfect combination between a used bookstore and Barnes & Noble. With both new and used books available, you can spend hours looking for something interesting to read. Sales on overstocks for Christmas are just around the corner, so itâ€™s the best time to snag a great deal. If you have no idea what kind of books your buddy would like, they also offer gift cards!